Whither Zanu PF?

President Robert Mugabe needs to intervene and diffuse the volatile situation which is fast becoming a distraction to his government’s bid to turnaround the economy.

Government business has suffered in the last three weeks as a result of internecine infighting within Zanu PF which is linked to succession.

Focus has shifted to provincial elections which are seen as the springboard for Mugabe’s successor at an elective congress slated for December 2014.

Provincial elections were held in Manicaland, Midlands and Mashonaland Central where John Mvundura, Jason Machaya and Luke Mushore were declared winners, amidst accusations of vote rigging through the use of fake voting slips.

The three elections have exposed the rot and a dangerous culture which exists within the Zanu PF system.
It is a culture of cheating, intolerance and dishonesty.

While Mugabe has spoken through his spokesperson George Charamba, we still believe that whatever position he has, it must come direct from his mouth.

As long as he sends people to speak on his behalf, nobody will listen as is the case with Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo who insists that Zanu PF is not run from the ministry of Information.

Why is Mugabe not directly standing up to this problem or is it that he is in a quandary or simply enjoying the infighting which he will quell off at an "appropriate" time.

Mugabe has always known that there are factions within Zanu PF and has encouraged open debate about succession although no one has dared to come out in the open expressing interest.

While Vice President Joice Mujuru and Emmerson Mnangagwa are seen as front runners to succeed him, no one knows how the succession saga will end.

This is why the whole issue is like that of a man riding on the back of a hungry tiger.

Mugabe alone has the answers to who should succeed him. He has got to act on it.

The quarrelling and brickbats being thrown at senior figures within the party by equally senior officials are indicative of a party at sea.

Without a doubt, a storm is building and it could be a storm that has serious repercussions for Zimbabwe’s politics.

The provincial elections have given us a sneak-preview into the near future.

Chaos and flagrant violations of the party’s conduct guiding the internal elections and the subsequent divisions that have emerged show a house divided.

And as they say, a house divided, surely cannot stand. Zanu PF is standing on jelly legs!

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